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Potato power
Glengarry’s Kayla and Jade Christie, along with Asher (6), Kira (3), Indie (10), Jacob (10), Aariana (12), Zack (6) and Isla (3) were just some of the thousands who made the journey into the hills for this year’s Thorpdale Potato Festival. STORY - PAGE 11 Photograph: Katrina Brandon
Out of control crime
By TOM HAYES
THE recent crime spike across Victoria has raised alarming concerns, as repeat offenders are granted bail and youth crime becomes more common. In late February, following a stabbing on Morwell’s Commercial Road, the offender, facing four charges, was released on bail until their next court hearing in May. A month earlier in late January, a 91-year-old Morwell man was found dead in his home, after his house on Maryvale Road was broken into by a man on bail, who was later found by police with the victim’s belongings. Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron has called for urgent action. Speaking in State Parliament, an emotional Mr Cameron said Labor’s commitment to review its bail laws was “nowhere near enough” to address the crisis. “I am loathed to feed into parochialism
or single out any one town in the (Latrobe) Valley, but the enormity of the problems facing the Morwell CBD must be addressed as a matter of urgency,” Mr Cameron said. “Speaking with businesses last week, owners are so scared for the welfare of their staff they are locking their doors, having to escort staff to their cars, or closing and leaving town altogether.” Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath also spoke on the safety of locals, who do not feel safe due to the rise of violent crimes. “New South Wales and Queensland governments have acted by introducing stronger laws to combat knife crime, yet Labor continues to ignore the issue,” she said. “Despite the best efforts of local police members, we are seeing escalating crime rates in our regional towns, often fuelled by alcohol and drug addictions.” Mr Cameron expressed his own
frustrations of the situation developing in Morwell, mentioning he “can no longer in good conscience even allow my staff to walk to the post office to collect mail” - a walk of less than 10 minutes from George Street, past Commercial Rd, under the train line and to the post office on Princes Drive. “People are scared. We can no longer walk the streets, in what should be a safe place, because antisocial behaviour is completely out of control,” he added. “I am under no illusions that this is a very complex and multi-faceted issue and there are many other contributing factors at play when it comes to crime. But a line in the sand has been drawn, and it was drawn a long time ago.” The state government labelled the behaviour “appalling”, stating that changes to laws are coming. “Victoria Police are out 24/7 holding offenders to account - backed by a record $4.5 billion investment, new powers,
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and new laws that deliver tougher consequences for serious, repeat offenders which are already making a difference,” a state government spokesperson said. “It’s not acceptable that there are still too many Victorians who don’t feel safe. Our laws need to be changed - and they will be. “The Attorney-General (Sonya Kilkenny) and Minister for Police (Anthony Carbines) are working with Victoria Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety on changes to our laws to keep people safe - including strengthening bail. “Everyone has the right to live and work safely and anyone who endangers that right must feel the consequences.” Staying local, of the 3600 additional police funded by the state government, 110 were allocated to the Morwell Division, which includes 23 family violence specialist police. Continued - Page 29
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